Habitat Halloween 100 Bike Ride

It was one cold and wet setup for the Halloween 100 today. We had 575 preregistered so at least had that $$ in the bank.

The Walk-on volunteers are ready to go...will anyone come?

You always meet interesting folks...these brothers were from Alaska
down here working on the Cancer Center building at Duke.

After a wet registration we had 18 walk-ons and about 200 preregistered who showed up! This is the 100 mile folks ready to begin--they started at 8:30 - 41 degrees and rainy. Brave folks!

REI and the Cycle Shop were there to help folks
make sure their bikes were in good shape!

The Durham City Police Bike Patrols had a
big contingency of folks again this year!
Is everybody ready??

and Mike, our sweep man is ready to go too.

and they're off!

Mindy and Mott - Registration was a success!

TROSA helped with the change out to party time!

They were great as always!!
First 32 mile rider is in.
Band setting up--they were GREAT!
Food is out--Q from Tylers--Great!
Great Italian Pasta....and beyond that
Pizza from Pappa Johns! Thanks all!
then so sign the framing boards for the next homeowner...
then a little dessert from loco pops and beer
from Harris and Bull City Brewery.
These young ladies are in the Habitat Club at
High Point University and came up to ride today!
and one of the 64 mile guys getting a little relief!
Yes!! No injuries at this point!

Anjani, new employee and coordinator of the ride
and John discussing the event.

Winners of the Youth Build Battle of the Bands get their turn.

By the time John and I left about 3 the sun was out...all the 64 mile riders were in safely and the 100 folks were doing great. Unfortunately, we ended up about $22K under our goal, but donations are still coming in and they're having an event at Bull City Brewery on Wed. the 9th to give out T-shirts to those pregistered who didn't make it to the ride...hopefully more donations then. It was a GREAT ride, particularly under the circumstances and as always the Volunteers were OUTSTANDING! Great day. Now home to pack for Jill's tomorrow.

A Great Saturday--"Q", Fall Fling and Farm Fest

It was up early and off to St. Luke's to work on "Q". It had been started last night and the three chefs cooked through the night and we were the crew for the last batch. There had been crews from 6-10:30; 10:30-2; 2-6 and we came in shortly after 6.

We were greeted with this lovely, fragrant sight! Yum!

Then it was chop, chop, chop for John...

John Hodges-Coople, coordinator for "Q" and
Bob Atwell, coordinator for Fall Fling touching bases.

Men slinging cleavers who have been
awake for hours and hours...watch yourself!

Bob and Ginny Atwell enjoying a little calm before the storm!

The calm over and the rush began...and
was pretty steady most of the morning.

Meanwhile, the choppers are done....no injuries!!

But the packers, weigher and topper are still at work.

The packers finished up and the kitchen got cleaned--all by about 9:00! Great job "Q" Team! Meanwhile, the sale progressed very well. At about 11:30 Bob announced that everything was 1/2 price and that helped clear tables
and then at 11:45 it was a Buck a Bag (plastic grocery size) and the tables really cleaned off then! The doors closed at noon and we helped with the pack-up.

The last of it going into boxes to be taken to Salvation Army.

Tables back and everything cleaned out by 1:00!

John drove this load to Salvation Army and returned for one more load. He and 2 other vans took all there was except the books and some "premium" items that we'll try to sell tomorrow. It was a GREAT job! Initial count of funds already in was $2500 and more to come in :-) A very fun morning with good friends!

We headed home and cleaned up and had some lunch and then headed to Berea and the Hall's Sassafrass Fork Farm Festival about 3:00. We were armed with "Q" that Roxanne, Mitzy and one other guy had purchased for the event. I brought cole slaw to go with it also.

We got there are were introduced to the newest member of the herd, a 2 day old calf who had been rejected by her Mother. They are bottle-feeding her. Very cute!
They also have a lot of new baby chicks for egg laying. They have just recently purchased a different breed for meat chickens.

We weren't there very long and it was time for the

calf to be fed. J.Ed had a lot of helpers!

Many folks came, a lot of farmers and sellers at the Roxboro Market, old friends from Chapel Hill, a wonderful cross section of folks. Very interesting group. It was potluck and the food was marvelous!
Tate, Roxanne's husband, had made a special brew - Sassafrass Octoberfest that was wonderful! Very smooth and great flavor! After most of us finished eating the two piece band started up and the caller began.
There was a small group of dancers, young and old as we left. It had been a very long day and we had a fair piece to drive home. It was nice to hit the hay tonight! What a great day!

Chillin'

Another beautiful day on the James River!

Meanwhile, ingenuis campers are making the brew!

and Grandpa is finding heat in those ashes!
Warmer this morning so not so bundled up!
Let's try out the stick and rope I found at the Landing.
fishing!
Gorgeous river this morning!!
Good find Ryan!
Grandma starting the scramble - yum!
Great time for bonding!
and some assisting with the fire.
Even the dogs were chillin'

Grandpa, Colin and Ryan went for a short walk and came back saying they had done some of Nature's rock climbing!

Let's see if the fishing here is better.
Mason checking out the fishermen.
No fish, but running is good...what a good finish line!
Colin next!
No, it's can't be time to pack up!
One last run with his bud, Mason!

Jill and Dave headed out first as he had a flight to catch to Tennessee. Ryan's last comment to Gretchen was a very loud "I love my blanket!" She had made a quilt for him and gave it to him Friday night and he slept with it both nights and continually said, "I love my blanket!" I didn't get a picture though :-(

Gretchen, Grandma and Grandpa chilled a little longer and then broke camp. Had lunch and then checked out the other campground at the Pond. Then we all headed home. It was a WONDERFUL weekend! One of the BEST!